Improvement in game-counters



UNITED STATES APA'IEN'I' OFFICE.

DAVID FEY AND R. HERMANN PEIN, OF PEORIA, ILLINGIS.,

IMPROVEMENT IN GAME-COUNTERS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 162'), 160, dated October 26, 1875 application Iiled September 2, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, DAVID FEY and R. HERMANN PEIN, both of the city of Peoria, in the county of Peoria and in the State of Illinois, have invented a Combined Game- Register, Gard-Press, and Gall-Bell; and'do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawings making a part of this specification, in which like letters of reference refer to like parts, and in which- Figure l represents a sectional elevation (along line a a, Fig. 2) of the register proper; Fig. 2, a superficial plan of one-half of the register, with finger77 H pulled outward to its full extent; Fig. 3, superficial view of central block or sleeve.77

This invention consists of a cylindrical box surmounted by a circular index-plate bearing, concentrically arranged, several sets of units, tens, and hundreds numerals, on which are pivoted several movable fingers, and also sliding ones, the whole adapted for several players or sets ofplayers. The box revolves upon a base, so as to be turned for the ready inspection of any player. A shaft crowned with a call-bell passes through the center of the box,

and terminates within it in a horizontal pressing-plate, actuated by a spring above it, when the attached shaft, which is provided with a projecting pin, is turned in the sleeve until said pin permits the shaft to descend with the spring and press the cards, if they have become bent in playing, said cards being held thereunder in a box.

In the drawings, which represent one of the forms in which we construct this register, A is a cylindrical box, pivoted upon a base, b, large enough to contain a sliding box, K, to receive cards when not in use; B, a perforated block or sleeve, the sleeve proper d having an incline or descending notch, i, cut in part of its periphery. This block is set or screwed onto the top of the box at its center, to serve as a bearing for the index-plate, and a socket or sleeve for the operation of the shaft C, which is a vertical one, provided with a projecting pin, e, which rests upon the upper surface of said sleeve to sustain said shaft. The latter ends within the box A in a horizontal plate, fn, made of the size, superficially, of a playingcard, so as to pass into the card-box K. Between this plate and the top of the box A is a coiled spring, m, surrounding the shaft C. The latter continues upward through the sleeve, and ends in a call-bell, D, of the usual hemispherical shape, whose clapper g ends above its pivot in a diagonal arm, IL, projecting upward. Against the sloping surface of this arm the bent foot h of the usual vertical shaft S ofthe terminal button t impinges when forced down, and throws the clapper g against the bell. E represents a circular index plate, whose perforated center passes down over the sleeve d of the block B, and rests upon the latter, being also supported at its outer edges by blocks and screws l. This plate is provided with several sets of figures from l to 9, representing, respectively, units,tens, and hundreds, the combination of which (indicated by movable lingers) indicates the proper count in the game or games. The range or passage of the fingers beyond their respective numerals is stopped by blocks and screws l. F is the unit index-finger, pivoted below the plate E upon the box A, near the block or sleeve B d, and extends beyond the verge of said plate, where it is turned up and bent over to point to the unit-numerals. Its too free motion is prevented by coiled tension-spring V around the pivotal screw, on which it turns. G is a similar linger, pivoted with a like tension upon the surface of the index-plate E, and which indicates the tens. H is a sliding finger, provided with a central slot, and is confined to a sliding motion upon the plate E by screws passing through said slot, and a corresponding slot, p, in said plate E, one being stationary, and the other being a tension-screw, r, or screw provided with a coiled spring, abutting against the under surface of the plate. It is provided with a pointer or slight projection on the side next to the numerals, which, in this case, are required in the game of plus and minus 7-adaptable also to indicate the hundreds in counting other games. K is a sliding box or drawer, made large enough to contain an ordinary pack of playing-cards when not in use, or to introduce them beneath the pressing-plate n when crumpled or bent.

The operation of this invention is as follows: The unit andy tens numerals are operated in the usual manner. There are four divisions on the plate, (each allotted to one player,) lettered A B C D. The cards may be pressed, v. Zien placed in the drawer K, under the plate fn by turning the shaft C so that the pin e descends the sleeve d and releases the spring m. The elapper of the bell is operated by the descent of the foot of the button-shaft S upon the oblique arm h of said clapper.

l There are three indeX-ngers to each of the four divisions of the index-plate E, all radiating from near the center of said plate.

What We claim as our invention isl. The circular boX A, provided With block or sleeve B d, fingers F, and lindex-plate E, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. The circular index-plate E, provided With fingers G, 85e., sliding fingers H, Snc., in combination With the box A and its movable ngers F, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. The combination, with block or sleeve B d, of the shaft C, provided at its middle with pin e, lengthened above to adapt it for the reception of a call-bell, and extended below the index to adapt it to receive the spring and pressing-plate of a card-press, substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. The construction and arrangement of the index-plate E, fingers G H F, with their tension-screws, as described.

.In testimony that We clairn the foregoing gaine-register, press, and call-bell, We have hereunto set our hands this 27th day of August, A. D. 1875.

DAVID FEY. R. HERMANN PEIN.

Witnesses:

H. W. WELLS, JAMES M. MORSE. 

